News Archive for 2006
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2006
Merry Christmas - J. Meagher - The GMPOA wishes a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful, Prosperous New Year to one and all.Santa Claus Parade - J. Meagher - The third annual Santa Claus Parade was held in Grand Marais on Saturday, December 2. Fifteen floats and numerous marchers handing out goodies made their way from the Grand Marais fire hall to the Grand Marais Recreation Centre. Following the parade, Santa chatted to and had his photo taken with the kids at the Rec. Centre. Special thanks to Tom Thomas and his volunteers for coordinating the parade, to all the organizations and volunteers that created the floats, to the Grand Marais Seniors for operating the canteen and to all those who came out to view the parade. Thanks to the RM of St. Clements for participating, for donating the use of a truck and flatbed trailer for Santa's sleigh and reindeer and for sanding the parade route. Thanks also to the RCMP, Manitoba Conservation and the Grand Marais Fire Department for ensuring all were safe.
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Municipal Elections - J. Meagher - The GMPOA congratulates the winners and all those who stood for election in the recent municipal elections. Steve Strang was elected Reeve, Ron Basarowich, Jerry Drobot and Ray Frey were elected as ward 1 councillors and Robert Belanger, Rod Cameron and Ed Gunning were elected as ward 2 councillors. Grand Marais is in ward 2.
Destination Grand Marais - J. Meagher - The Grand Beach and Area Development Corporation and the RM of St. Clements are spearheading an exciting new initiative, Destination Grand Marais. The GBADC presented to the RM, a plan to draw tourists to Grand Marais by creating green space, walking and cycling paths, a new business area, a tourist information centre with public washrooms and potable water, and more. In short, a plan to make Grand Marais a tourist destination. The RM has given to the GBADC, $15 000.00 to create a new proposal detailing how development will proceed. The GBADC will contact a qualified consultant to create the new proposal for presentation and public consultations in the spring of 2007. The GMPOA looks forward to participating in the public consultations and encourages all members to keep abreast of developments concerning this initiative.
Staircase To Grand Marais Historic Pier - J. Meagher - The GMPOA hopes to revamp its application for a municipal grant to build a staircase to the Grand Marais Historic Pier. The recent damage to the existing staircase and to the shoreline tells us that we need a more detailed plan. If you have the qualifications to design an appropriate structure to provide access to the pier without damaging the shoreline, you are encouraged to donate your exper e to this endeavour. The GMPOA will be able to add the value of your services as an in-kind contribution to the project and to the grant application. Once designed and approved, we will be looking for more volunteers to donate their time constructing the staircase. Once again, the value of all labour can be added as in-kind contributions to the project and to the grant application.
Garbage Collection - J. Meagher - Garbage collection is an issue the GMPOA hears about regularly. Two possible solutions have been discussed with the RM:
- Declare Grand Marais a Special Service Area/District - The RM would charge each property approximately $100.00 and tender a contract for garbage pick up in GM.
- Private Contractor to have his/her own dumpster(s) and contract with a removal company to transfer collected garbage to the Libau dump. The RM would extend the berm and the contractor would have keys to his/her dumpster(s) and to the transfer station gate(s).
Youth Drop In Centre - J. Meagher - The Youth Drop In Centre opened its doors at the Grand Marais Recreation Centre on November 10. It operates every Friday, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Youths and volunteers are always welcome. This is a work in progress. Informal surveys of the youths in attendance indicate they would like some extra amenities such as couches and a karaoke machine. If you have an old couch (in GOOD condition) or a functioning karaoke machine that you no longer use and would like to donate, please contact Jerry at 754-2746.
Hall Walking - J. Meagher - In the city, they walk the mall; in Grand Marais, we walk the hall. Come join us at the Grand Marais Recreation Centre for some fitness and/or some camaraderie and some coffee. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Curling Curriculum - J. Meagher - Walter Whyte students are now curling at the Grand Marais Recreation Centre as part of their education. Congratulations to the school for thinking outside the box and teaching the kids a life-long leisure skill that will contribute to their better health and fitness.
Frozen Wonderland - J. Meagher - The lake has been flirting with freezing all November. Warm temperatures and high winds kept the ice away for most of the month, but when the wind settled the night of November 17, the lake iced over. Small patches of water appeared the next day and the patchwork of ice and water combined with the setting sun to provide a spectacular scene.
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Shoreline Preservation - J. Moxley - Shorelines provide essential habitat for numerous plants, fish and animals. When the shoreline is eroded, habitat disappears and the quality of the lake water deteriorates. The addition of soil and plant material to surface water increases the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water, leading to more frequent algal blooms. Increased siltation causes turbid waters that affect aquatic species. For example, when silt settles, it collects between rocks and pebbles reducing fish populations by making it more difficult for fish to find aquatic insects on which they feed.
Human activity can have negative impact on shorelines. Some property owners remove rocks, trees and other vegetation from the shoreline to create a better view. Some property owners dump yard waste (grass clippings and leaves) onto the sloped shoreline. The yard waste prevents natural vegetation from growing and forming deep root systems that stabilize the shoreline. These practices can result in shoreline erosion and bank slumping when wind, water and waves assault the unprotected shore.
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| (Shoreline trees downed to create a better view.) |
(November's waves damage stairs and cause the bank to slump.) |
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| (More shoreline slumping caused by wave action.) | |
Grand Marais Seniors - J. Meagher - The Grand Marais Seniors have moved to the Grand Marais Recreational Centre. The extra space, the large kitchen, washrooms, etc. make it a very enjoyable place to be. The annual Christmas bake sale was a success once again. Thanks to all those who contributed time, baking and prizes.
OCTOBER 2006
Municipal Elections - Municipal elections take place October 25, 2006. The GMPOA strongly encourages all members to participate. Winnipeggers can vote at Bronx Park Community Club, 131 Chelsea Pl. (corner of Chelsea Pl. and Henderson Hwy.) 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on election day. St. Clements residents can vote at their local polling stations 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on election day. An advance poll will be held in the Council Chambers of the Rural Municipality of St. Clements in East Selkirk on October 20, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. You can also vote by mail-in ballot; contact the RM for more information. To make it easier for GMPOA members, we are mailing them information on how to obtain a mail-in ballot.For Reeve you may vote for Steve Strang or Ken Thomas. For councillors, you may vote for any three of the following: Robert Belanger, Rod Cameron, Roberta Dalman, Ron Fewchuk, Darlene Fisette, Ed gunning, Mike Millard, Roger Saunders.
Management Committee - The Management Committee met on September 30, 2006 to organize our activities for the next year. Standing committees, ad hoc committees and liaisons were assigned (see the About Us page for more info). If there is an issue you would like us to address, if you would like to help on one of the committees or if you have a contact that could help us, please contact us.
Communications Committee - The GMPOA wishes to extend special thanks to Dean Jones for voluntarily maintaining this website. We think it looks great!! Thanks are also extended to Judi Moxley for contributing photos to the website and to Linda Leonard for contributing her articles for the Memories Of Grand Marais page. We still need more photos and more stories so please contribute!
As well, if you have a business or you have a cottage for rent, you can obtain a free link from our site to your site/email by forwarding a completed Application For FREE Hyperlink to us. Please note, you must be a member of the GMPOA to qualify for a free hyperlink. Membership rates are currently $10.00 for a property owner's voting membership and $5.00 for an associate non-voting membership. Click here for a membership application.
Spirit Award - Outgoing president Mike Millard presented The Spirit Award for 2006 to the Gray family and the Sand Bar Motor Inn for their support of the community. Congratulations Tyler, Priscilla and Paul.
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| (L to R: Mike, Priscilla, Paul, Tyler) |
Manitoba Métis Federation Annual Fish Fry - Once again the fish fry was extremely well attended. The GMPOA along with the Grand Beach Cottage Owners' Association, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Gray family (Sand Bar Motor Inn), the Snowdon family (The Village Store), the Millard family (The Geothermal Alternative) and Ken Avery (Trustee for Lord Selkirk School Division) sponsored the purchase of a notebook computer that was raffled off with all proceeds going to a fund, held in trust by the MMF, for local youth initiatives. This raffle helped raise $765.00!
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| (GMPOA past President Mike Millard with notebook computer) | (Betty Linklater celebrates her ??th birthday) |
Grand Beach Cottage Owners' Association - The GBCOA sends its greetings and has expressed its desire to work with us on projects of mutual interest. We look forward to doing so. The GBCOA also wishes to remind all that garbage Grand Beach cottage owners pay for their garbage to be picked up in the park. They respectfully request that all others refrain from dumping garbage in the park.
Lake Winnipeg Lashes Out - The second and third weeks of October featured howling winds that pushed water deep into the south basin of the lake. It was reported that levels had risen two meters! As a result, much of the work done last year to protect the Grand Marais Sand Spit and the road leading to it has been undone.
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Grand Marais Rec Centre Annual Fall Supper - The fall supper was extremely well attended again this year. Two sittings were offered this year and many positive comments were heard regarding this initiative. Many thanks to those who volunteered; your efforts make the fall supper such an enjoyable event!
Spirit Walk - The students of Walter Whyte School celebrated Manitoba In Motion's one-year anniversary by participating in Spirit Walk on October 5, 2006. The walk attracted over 300!! Walkers started under a beautiful sunny sky at the MMF office in Grand Marais and hiked to the end of the Grand Marais Sand Spit. Some kite boarders joined in the festivities and exhibited their sport to those assembled.
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| Local Character Made Over - Patrons of the Sand Bar Motor Inn were treated to the spectacle of Howie Binner getting spiffed up. After his mother had the honour of cutting off his ponytail, patrons were given the opportunity to trim a lock in return for a donation to Walter Whyte School. The ponytail will be used to make a wig for a cancer patient/survivor. |  |
| (Mum and the Infamous Ponytail.) |
Grand Marais Seniors (by S. Pelletier) - Grand Marais Seniors lost one of their oldest members recently. Florence Elizabeth Blake-Knox (Betty) passed away on the 28th day of September 2006. She was a wonderful lady who was known for her gentleness and for her generosity towards the children of our community. Betty was the president of the Grand Marais Seniors for many years and was still attending meetings. A memorial mass was celebrated by Father Gerry Sembrano at the Ste. Theresa Roman Catholic Church on the 3rd of October and a reception followed at the Grand Marais Rec Centre. We say goodbye to our dear friend who was inspired us all.
Other Seniors news:
- The Sand Bar Motor Inn Cribbage Club donated $1922.00 to the GM Seniors. We thank them for their continuing support.
- We donated $500.00 to the Fire Fighters Thermal Imaging Camera Fund.
- We donated $270.00 toward the purchase of sports water bottles to celebrate Manitoba In Motion's first anniversary. The bottles were presented to the students of Walter White School who participated in Spirit Walk on October 5.
- Grand Marais Seniors is moving from their present quarters to the Grand Marais Recreational Centre. We hope to be moved before the first of November. The new telephone number will be 754-2325.
- We will make perogies on November 12 and 13.
- We will make tourtiéres on November 1.
- We meet every Wednesday morning for crafts; new faces and new ideas are always welcome.
SEPTEMBER 2006
Membership - The GMPOA Membership Committee was struck with the goal to develop a working plan to enhance the association's membership base. The first annual membership drive was held on Sunday May 21, 2006. Twenty-eight association volunteers, acting as block captains, canvassed the Grand Marais community, delivering the association's first newsletter and successfully signing up 140 members - more than double the original membership of September 2005. Many thanks are extended to those who generously gave up the Sunday of the May long weekend to volunteer. Our membership numbers continue to climb and have reached 161 members as of September 2, 2006. However, all areas of Grand Marais are not well represented in our membership. We want to have a strong voice that will help the association achieve its mission, so we need to have as many members as possible. We have seen some positive change this past year but we still have a lot more to do.The 2007 membership campaign will kickoff in July 2007 but you can join anytime of the year. If you are interested in becoming a member of the GMPOA, you can download a membership application from this site and send it to us. At present, the fees are $10 for property owner (voting) or $5 for associate (non-voting) memberships. There is a restriction of one voting membership per property but non-voting memberships are open to anyone who has an interest in the betterment of Grand Marais.
Grand Marais 1st Annual Fire Truck Pull - This event was held on Sat., Sept. 2, 2006. Several hundred people came together to cheer on the 11 competing teams. It was nice to see different associations coming together to create a fun activity for the community and, at the same time, to help provide a thermal-imaging camera for the fire department; a win-win situation for all. Thanks to the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Grand Beach Cottage Owners' Association, the Rural Municipality of St. Clements and the Grand Marais Property Owners' Association for sponsoring this event. The fire truck pull raised $4400.00 that will be matched by other funds in order to purchase a thermal imaging camera for the East Beaches Emergency Centre.
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| (Your GMPOA team) | (The kids team) |
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| (GMPOA past President Mike Millard presents Fire Chief Mark Sinclair with proceeds from Fire Truck Pull) | (The winners) |
Beachfest - Beachfest was held on the August long weekend at the Sand Bar Motor Inn. Several bands entertained making for a huge outdoor concert. Good music, good food and good fellowship made for a great weekend event. The GMPOA really appreciates it's 45 volunteers, as well as all the behind the scenes organizers. Well done! Through the event, several local organizations were able to benefit from this fund-raiser. The GMPOA offers thanks to the Gray family for this opportunity.
The GMPOA Annual General Meeting - Our AGM was held on Sept. 2,2006. Many members attended and a new board was elected. They are: Past President: Mike Millard; President: Jerry Meagher; Vice-President: Paul Leonard; Treasurer: Don Paulus; Secretary: Fran Chester; and directors: Heather Zilkey, Jerry Sherby, Julian Gorchinsky, Lou Savoie, Linda Leonard. This new Management Committee will be meeting soon to plan the year's strategy, and to continue the good works of the previous board. The GMPOA offers thanks and good wishes to the following guest speakers: Corporal Friesen - RCMP; Jeff Houghton - Grand Beach Provincial Park; Terry Neplyk - Grand Beach Cottage Owners' Association; Reeve Steve Strange- RM of St. Clements.
Sand Spit - (the sandy beach area south of Grand Marais Blvd.) Many improvements have been made to this area with the help of the RM, the Province of Manitoba, the Piping Plover Recovery Team and the GMPOA. Go for a walk and enjoy the changes being made to this area. We look forward to your feedback.
Staircase To The Fisherman's Pier - The RM affected repairs in June 2006. Thanks are extended to the Rm for improving access to this site.
Derelict Buildings - We received information concerning the process the RM must follow when declaring a property derelict. We are continuing to follow-up on two properties. Some remediation was seen in the fall (some appliances removed, access to buildings boarded up). The RM closed the file on these two properties this spring. The files were reopened and the outstanding concerns were referred back to bylaw enforcement in August. As well, several other bylaw enforcement issues were presented to the RM in August.
MAY 2006
The GMPOA has been following up on two derelict properties reported to the RM by GMPOA members. Clean up has begun on one of the sites and in conversation the RM has told us that bylaw enforcement has been notified about both locations. We requested info from the RM regarding the process for dealing with derelict buildings. We are still awaiting this info and we are following up our request in writing.
In conversation, the RM has also told us that, barring any emergencies, the RM will repair the existing staircase to the Fisherman's Pier in the spring of 2006. The GMPOA applied to the RM for a grant of $4000 to construct an additional series of steps and walkways to extend the existing staircase to street level. This would provide safe access to this well used site. We are awaiting a decision from the RM.
The Communications Committee has created this web site and a newsletter to disseminate info about the GMPOA and Grand Marais. Thank you very much to Les Sutherland and Encore Envelope for printing our newsletter at no charge. Please contact us if you want to share some info, memories, etc. on our website and/or in our newsletter.